B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure outlines more than $12 billion of 2023 priorities

A province can’t be built in a day.

British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s 2023 priorities include more than $12 billion worth of projects already underway and the continued rebuilding of the province after several years of environmental challenges.

Rebuilding B.C.’s highways

“2022 was a year of recovery following the devastating atmospheric river event that effectively cut off the Lower Mainland from the rest of Canada,” a spokesperson told the Journal of Commerce.

Due to extensive flooding across the province, Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon, the Coquihalla Highway, the Hope-Princeton Highway, Highway 99 and Highway 8 were all closed in the past two years presenting major obstacles for transportation of people and supplies and requiring extensive rebuilding by the province.

“With the exception of Highway 8, all these roads were reopened by mid-January 2022. The permanent rebuild of these roads, including measures to make them stronger and more resilient to climate change, will continue through 2023,” the ministry said.

The last highway to reopen was Highway 8, which was “all but destroyed with more than 25 sections totalling over seven kilometres of highway lost into the Nicola River.”

The ministry said the extensive work rebuilding Highway 8 will continue well beyond 2023.

Pattullo Bridge replacement

The $1.377 billion Pattullo Bridge replacement is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the province and is on schedule for mid-2024 completion.

As last reported by the JOC, pile installation for the main bridge foundations are complete with piling wrapping up on the New Westminster shoreline. Piling is currently underway for the Surrey off-ramp.

PATTULLO BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT — Pile installation for the main bridge foundations is complete on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement project. Construction is underway on the bridge tower and erection of the steel bridge girders and installation of concrete deck panels and stay cables will be undertaken this year.

“Construction of the bridge tower is progressing well. Other construction activities for the main bridge in 2023 include erection of the steel bridge girders and installation of concrete deck panels and stay cables,” the ministry said.

Surrey Langley Skytrain

Last July, the province approved $4.01 billion in funding for the Surrey Langley Skytrain extension, the first rapid transit expansion south of the Fraser River in 30 years. Preparations are still underway.

“Three requests for qualifications have been issued for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project and one of those RFQs has resulted in a shortlist of companies advancing to the request for proposals stage,” the ministry said.

“The first contract award is anticipated in late 2023. Major construction is expected to begin in 2024.”

Broadway Subway extension

The $2.8 billion Broadway Subway Extension is anticipated to finish construction in 2026, the ministry said.

Work this year will be focused on prepping sites for the arrival of the two tunnel-boring machines launched last fall. As reported by the JOC, the first machine recently broke through to the Mount Pleasant Station.

GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA — The first tunnel-boring machine deployed for the Broadway Subway extension breaks through into the future Mount Pleasant Station. The project is expected to wrap up construction in 2026.

“The two machines are expected to take about a year to complete the tunnel-boring work,” said the ministry.

Planning is currently underway for a potential extension of the SkyTrain to the University of British Columbia after completion of the Broadway extension.

Improvements to Highway 1

Work on Highway 1 is happening across the province, from the Fraser Valley to the Alberta Border.

Construction work on the Trans-Canada between 216^th Street and 264^th Street began last fall and will continue through 2023.

“Many drivers from Fraser Valley face lengthy daily commutes into Vancouver and back again at the end of the day. Travelling around Fraser Valley communities is also increasingly difficult, given the traffic volume on Highway 1,” said the ministry.

GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA — Highway 1 from Kamloops to the Alberta border is undergoing a significant transformation. The Kicking Horse Canyon is one of the main focal points of construction where four new bridges and nine new viaducts are under construction with some having already opened.

The ministry has finished its first phase of public engagement on further expansion of Highway 1 from 264^th Street to Abbotsford but no initial construction date has been determined.

Work continues on the highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border with the province having committed more than $700 million for the work last year. Construction on the Kicking Horse Canyon section is expected to finish in late 2023/early 2024 including the four new bridges and nine new viaducts.

George Massey Tunnel replacement

Replacing the “aging George Massey Tunnel with a toll-free, eight-lane tunnel with improvements for motorists, transit and active transportation users” is still in the environmental assessment phase. Total cost for the project is around $4.15 billion.

GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA — A rendering of the proposed $4.15 billion replacement of the George Massey Tunnel under the Fraser River which is currently undergoing an environmental assessment.

Steveston Interchange

Construction on the Steveston Interchange began last July and is expected to continue into 2025.

“A transit-only connection between Bridgeport Road and Highway 99 southbound has been completed, as have upgrades to the Highway 99/17A off-ramp and bike shuttle stops to help make life easier for people travelling by car or bicycle,” said the minstry.

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